Salam Believes Aoun Putting Coexistence in Danger, Berri Less Pessimistic
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has expressed concern over Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's threats to mobilize his supporters, saying his move is putting Lebanon's coexistence in danger.
Salam's concern comes despite Speaker Nabih Berri being more optimistic.
Sources close to Salam told An Nahar daily published on Monday that the PM has expressed regret that Aoun has resorted to an “unwanted approach.”
His stances are now linked to personal interests over his intention to reach Baabda Palace and bring his son-in-law Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz as army chief, they told An Nahar.
This is a “source of concern” for Salam and “puts coexistence, which the Lebanese have believed in and worked for … in danger,” said the sources.
“Will the threat to use force to give Christians their rights help achieve objectives?” they asked, saying the election of a president was the only solution.
Over the weekend, Aoun said the FPM started preparing for popular movements and demonstrations in the districts of Mount Lebanon, Baabda and Koura.
His son-in-law Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil also vowed to take “partnership by force.”
Bassil, who is a top FPM official, also promised to keep fighting to defend the authorities of the president.
“No one will put his hand on it as long as we are here,” he warned.
FPM officials told several local dailies published on Monday that the movement will resort to “innovative techniques” during the protests.
The FPM is fighting a “battle of existence,” they said, adding that conventional measures to resolve the crisis are no longer implementable.
They stressed that “this is a battle of life or death for Christians.”
The officials, who were not identified, also accused the parties claiming to hold onto the system of seeking to topple it.
Despite their remarks, Berri told his visitors that he did not think Aoun would abuse the system.
“Aoun is a man (who backs) the system. I don't think he will leave it to abuse,” said Berri, whose remarks were published in local dailies on Monday.
Ain el-Tineh sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that Berri believes “there is no fundamental problem that pushes him (Aoun) to paralyze the institutions.”
The sources also “advised” the FPM “to stop this adventure.”
G.K.
D.A.
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